Resilient annular body



J..S.. WILLIAMS.

RESILIENT ANNULAR BODY. Arrucmn fluo Dsclz'. 1917-. 1,391,151 Patentedsept. 20, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. S. WILLIAMS.

HESILIENT ANNUL-AR BODY.

APPLICATION FILED 050.20. 1917.

Patented sept.. 20,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

l/V VEN TOR ATTORNEYS I. s. WILLIAMS.

RESILIENT ANNULAR BODY.

APPLICATION FI'LEn DEc.20. 1917.

1 39 1 1 5 1 Patented Sept. 20, 19211.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4I.

y UNITED STATES JOSEPH S. WILLIAMS, 0F RIVERTON, NEW"JERSEY.

1,391,151. original application No. 761,192,1i1ed To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. WILLIAMS, of the United States of America, residing at Riverton, in the county of Burlington, State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Resilient Annular Body, of which the periphery of a wheel whereby the load will be resiliently supported and balanced.

l My invention further yrelates to the method lof `forming a universally resilient noncollapsible annular body so. that it will be normally resilient and load sustaining, and so that the stability, resiliency, capacityV andV efficiency of the construction will be increased and strains willbe distributed and balanced by the body in the state of resilient tension.

The object of my invention is to providel a resilient annular body of novel construction, which as a unit of structure, can readily be applied to or demounted from the rim.

of the wheel, and which will resiliently sup port and balance load, thrusts and reactions, and which will be non-collapsible and inflatable and be universally resilientv and opn erate as an endless resilient tension truss,

and as an annular body of resilient tension.

struction, as to be universally-resilient and kload sustaining-outwardly of and when com-V bined in tension with and about an annular and' transverse inner trussing support, and about which the terminals of annular and transversely disposed tension belt of the body are securely anchored.'v

Other objects and advantages of my invention will hereina'fterappear ,in` the detailed description. Y Y Y Y For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawings a typical embodiment of it which Specification of Letters Patent.

.1 nazsrnnsziv'.;I ANNULAR BODY.

Patented sept. 2o, 1921.

April 15, 1913. Divided and` this application ,led December 20, l

- 1917. Serial No. 208,037.

is at present preferred byme, since thisr embodiment will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various yinstrumentalities of which my invention consists lcan be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited vto the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation partly in section of a. resilient wheel equipment embodying my invention, the same being shown in assembled condition with respect to a vehicle wheel. l

Fig. 2 represents a transverse section of a portion of Fig. 1, taken through the upperl part ofthe construction.

Fig. 3 represents a transverse section of a portion of Fig. 1, showing the lower portion of the construction.

Fig. 4 represents a side elevation partly in section of a portion of a wheel equipment embodying my invention.

Fig. 5 represents, Vin perspective, a transverse section of Fig. 4, thesection being taken through the upper portion of the construction.

Fig. 6 represents, in perspective, a transverse section of a portion of Fig. 4,'Showing the lower portion of the construction.

gPATENT OFFICE.

j `Similar numerals of reference indicate Vcorresponding parts in the figures.V

Referring'irst to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive,

1 designates a tread, having its inner pe riphery circumferential'ly fand transversely disposed, and with a radially projecting tread wearing partextending therefrom to the tread surface, .which-latter may have any desired contour, although in practice the same is vpreferably made substantially concentric with tlie'resilient and tension elementsof the annular body of the construction, inwardly thereof and supporting` this tread. The .tread is shown with curvature toward the sides thereof, and carried by4 and secured to an outer annular and transversely disposed tension belt 2, consisting oflongitudinal and transverse tensile material, such as fabric or the equivalent in combination with vulcanized rubber, A breaker strip 3 of resilient rubber andtensile material is shown in vulcanized combination on the inner face vof the tensile belt 2. i

ioo

The tread and the y,tensile belt 2 are inf A Vwardly supported upon the outer periphery of the breakerA 3, and a layer of rubber 4, which extends about the sides and incloses an annular and transversely disposed resilient trussing and cushioning portion 5 consisting of rubber or layers of fabrican rubber vulcanized together, and supported on an inner annular and transversely :disposed tension belt 6, of flattenedarch for` mation in transverse cross section, with sides of such belt curved andrextending inwardly and laterall y,in close curvature formation about an annular and transversely disposed inner trussing, and thrust transmitting portion 10.- The tension belt 6,` is shownwith the flattenedV archy formation in spaced relationship to the major transverse axis 7, of the construction, ywith inner annular and transversely disposed cushioning and inflat able support'S. The sides 9, of belt'6 extend in tension about the sides of 8, and an annular and transversely disposed inwardly channeled trussing and thrust transmitting member 10, to terminal parts 11, which are securely anchored tomaintain the belt-6, in tension about such supports. v A transversely dividedv annulus 12, with an outer face', cc'i-'Vfittablel underexpansion against the inner faces of the terminal parts 11, and interlockableby'means of engaging parts 13 thereof, with the parts v14s, on the inner face ofy 10, prevents relative circumferential movement ofthe parts.`

The transversely divided member 12, is also shown with locking parts v15, on the inner face to rco-lock with suitable parts on the fixed rim of the wheel when the inem ber 12, shall be- Suflicientlyjexpa'nded against the terminals 11and` outer seating parts -to provide for placingjor forcing theequip'm menton the rim 21 ofthe wheel, shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The outer periphery of the member 10, is incavated or inwardly curved as at 16, in order to form with ay resilient support 8, a clearance space 1,7,which latf-- ter maybe provided, if desired, with elastic, mobile fluid or filling contenu-although ythe same may be ldispensed within many cases arising inpractice. The resilient support nate ayers of fabric and rubber in vulcanized combinatiomvand iS provided with the inwardly extending porti0n'16, in order to formth'e fluid tight tube 19 which contains the Iclearance space 17. The sides of the inner tensile belt 6 are in close curvature formation around the sides of 8, andthe sides V'of 10, and form stable abutments therewith. The. member 12, provided with transversely disposed locking parts 15,

adapted to interlock with parts 20 on the felly band 21, preventsrelative circumferen# tial movement ofthe parts. The lateral movement is* prevented by meansV of clips y 20,'seciired to the flly'22by means of fastoning devices 23. The outer tensile belt 2 rber10.'-v v my construction f as .in

preferably formed of rubber or alter-V Ais lsubstantially concentricwith the inner tensile'belt' 6 and with the resilient truss- -ing support l8,l inwardly thereof, and re silient trussing support 5, 'and breaker 3 to the tread 1, outwardlyrthereof. The sides of such annular body ofthe resilient trussL ing constructionextend laterallybeyond-the axis of wheel. andl thecpartsof the body outwardly thereof tothe road.'

Referring now to the embodiment seen in Figs. fi to 6 inclusive,.the results attainable are substantially the samel as in the con-H struction justlescribed with reference to Figs; 1 to '8 inclusive, .but in the embodimentsseen in Figsji to 6 inclusive, there silient trussing and cushioning support 23, u Y

between the tension belt 2,l and the tensile belt 6, is provided witlipores or'cells 2l.

The .pores orvr cel-ls are shown disposed in annular and transversely; disposed layers yof.

vulcanized rubber. reinforced by annularY andv transversely disposed layers or belts of flexible fabricbof Aopen* weave or the equivalent thereof, in the forni of circumferentially disposed cords and vrtransverse' co.rds,in combination with vulcanized rubber, whereby suchv formation in vulcanized`V combination with the inner belt 2 and itsV terminal portions 11f-"and the belt 6, and

parts outwardly thereof, including theJ tread willoperate as' afuniversally resilient. nonL collapsible truss when mounted/on'the 1nem A. Figure' 1 shows d Figs. f3 and '4 mounted'in vwheel equipment,-the aic lines-2526 and 27 reprel Y sent" the frangesl fof: one-quarter, five-sixteenths andthrce-eighths of an inch respectively.

FigA-shows coiistiuction'nas in Figs. 5k

and 6 with the wheel omitted from the rim. By reference -to Figs. 1 and 4 and the transverse sectional views 2 3 5 and v6, it

will beseen that the longitudinal and trans verse tension in the bel-ts in theconstruction proiffidc continuous annular and transverse tension support in combination with theresilienty support in vulcanized combination,

throughout the depth and width of the annular'body. v`

The inner inflatable and trussingrportion in the spacingfbetween the inner tension belt and the innerannular and transverse trussing member about or with which the tension belt is secured canV be formed with or asV unit .part-of the body'or'be removable there'- from. 'T

In all the embodiments, tension belt of Y and the strains towhich itfmay'be subjected.

The constructionv provides a universally resilient and non-collapsibleannular body which will be absolutely stable in wheel equipment, and provides-for resiliently supporting and balancingload and thrusts so as to secure flexing yand flatteningA action along the plane of road contact of 200 vto 25 slightly more or less, anda corresponding range of altitude of one-quarter to threeeighths `ofan inch as clearly shown by the drawings.

lVhile the embodiments clearly show such standards of capacity and resiliency, in tensile and resilient trussing, as inherent in the construction, it will be obvious that by means of suitable mobile content under suitable pressure in the clearance space of fluid tight tube between the belt 6 and the member 10, .the entire annular body of resilient construction can'be placed under any desired degree of tension so that such body will functionv as a universally resilient truss in tension about theperiphery of the wheel.

The tensionbelt in flattened arch formation is resiliently and positively trussed annularlyand transversely so that the sides of such arch formation are flexible on side abutment supports, Vand firmly secured therewith. This tension belt consists of annular and transverse tensile material in combination with vulcanized rubber, with such standard of strength as required for any special size and character vof construction and thestrains to which it may be subjected. The clearance spaceV or fluid tight tube between such arch formation and the inner support permits of the desired flexing of the arch formation transversely and annularly. The annular and transverse `trussing and cushioning portion, cellular or otherwise as shown, and the outer belt and tread all cooperate as an annular resilient tension trussing portion for the flattened arch formation of the inner tension belt and therethrough to the side abutmentsupports.

Then the construction is submitted'to load from the axis of the wheel, the lstresses are distributed by the rims-to the annular inner trussingsupport and to. the side abutments of the flattened arch vand are taken up and distributed by the transverse tension about the side abutments and by thelongitudinal tension of such arch k formation to and through the annular and transverse trussing and cushioning portion and belt and the tread Voutwardly thereof. Thectread and body flex annularly and transversely-.lin propOrtiontoSuChstrainS, and the capacities of the construction. Y

By means of air or othervsuitable mobile content under lpressure within the annular clearance space, it is not only practical to provide any desired load capacity or standard of ybalance'in the construction but to compensate or even neutralize the compressive strains, by placing the body in a suitable degree of resilient tension.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A resilient annular body comprising an annular and transversely elongated innermost portionV bisected by the major transverse axis, of flattened arch formation in transverse cross section outwardly of said axis, with curvatures about the sides and inwardly of the seating parts, an annular and transversely disposed flexible tension belt in and about said flattened arch formation and in curvatures about the sides tothe seating parts, an annular and transversely disposed resilient supporting trussingportion bonded with and encircling said tension belt, an outer annular and transversely disposed outermost tension belt bonded with and encircling said resilient trussing portion, and a tread wearing part encircling and supportedl by said outermost tension belt.

2. A resilient annular bod comprising an annularv and transversely elongated linner-A most portion -bisected by the major transverse axis, of flattened arch formation in transverse crossV section outwardly of said axis, with curvatures about the sides and inwardly' of the'seating parts, an annular and transversely disposed flexible tension belt in and about said flattened arch formation and in curvatures about the sides to the seating parts, an annular andtransversely disposed resilient supporting trussing portion bonded with and encircling said tensionV belt,'an 'outer annular and transversely disposed outermost tension belt bonded with and encircling said resilient trussing portion,

a tread wearing part encircling and'supported by said outermost tension belt, an inner annular and transverse trussing member extending across said innermost portion and supporting and trussing the inner walls and seating yparts of the tension beltof said innermost portion across and inwardly of saidmajor transverse axis, and a resilient supportV about the periphery of said inner annularl and transverse trussing member formingfabutment supports for the curvatures of said inner tension belt.V

A resilient :annular body comprising an annular and transversely elongated innermost portion bisectedby the major transverse axis, of flattened Varch formation in transverse cross section outwardly of said Y axis, withv curvatures about the sides and inwardly of the seating parts, an annular and transversely disposed vflezrzible tension belt in and about said flattened arch formation and in curvatures about-the sides to theseating parts, an annular and transversely disposed resilient supporting trussingV r portion bonded with and encircling said of' saidinnermost portion inwardly ofjsaid majory transverse axis a resilientsupport about the periphery of said inner annular and transverse trussing member forming abutment supports for the curvatures of the vinner tension belt, and means tofvary the pressure between said belt and said inner trussing support and the tension upon the body. f

4. A resilient annular body comprising an annular and transversely elongated inner-ry most portion, bi-sected by the major transverse axis and having therein van annular and transverse trussing and thrust transmitting member located crosswise of said portion inwardly of said axis and having a channel formation between the sides thereof; a,V resilient supportabout the periphery of said member including a fluid-tight annular passage and an annular and transversely disposed flexible tension belt vin tension about said support and member with curvatures in close vvformation therein about the sides and extending to seating parts, and anchoragey inwardly of said trussing member and` having ,outwardly of vsaid innermost portion and bonded therewith an annular and transversely disposed outer resilient trussing portion bonded with said innermost portionand extending outwardly with diminishing width toward the outer periphery of the body, and having in such outermost portion a resilient annular and transverse trussing portion next said innermost portion a tensionjbelt encircling said annular and transverse trussing portion` and a .belt of tread material encirclingsaid tension belt.

5. A resilient annular body comprising an annular and transversely elongated innermost portion, bisected by the'major transverse axis, and having therein an annular and transverse trussing and thrust. transmitting member located crosswiseof said portion inwardly of said axis andhaving a channel'formation between the sides thereof; a resilient support about the periphery of said memberincluding al fluid-tight annular passage and an annular Vand transversely disposed flexible ltension belt in tension :about said support and member with curva-tures Iinclose formation therein about the sides an-dextending to seating parts and anchorage inwardly of said trussing member; and having outwardly of said innermost portion and bonded therewith an annular and transverselyv disposed outer resilient trussing portion bonded with said'y most portion a tension beltV encircling saidV annular and transverse trussing portion and belt of tread material encircling'said' tensionbelt andA a fillingV in said fluid tight passage under pressure. y 6. A demountable annular equipment,

comprising an endless annular body havingV aninner, annular and transverse trussing portion provided Vwith a .seating and side abutments, anfouter annular yand transverse tension trussing portion transversely disposed in flattened arch formationrelatively to the major axis of the bodyincross sec-` tion, and having itssides Vextending around said abutments and anchored in tension( about and to said inner trussing portion, said inner and outer trussing'portions having disposed between them means V,to provide for the'flexing movements of said outer tension trussingr portion, an Vannular resilient trussing portion bondedl with and about said Ytension trussing portion, an annular tension belt about said meansV between said .side abutmentsv vforming annular and transverse seating support in forced engagement with the inner peripheral parts ofv the body and forming therewith a. demountable annularV unit of structure. Y .v l,

7. A demountable annular equipment, comprising an endless annular body Vhaving an inner, annular and transverse trussing portion provided with a seating and side abutments, an outer annular tension trussing portion transversely disposed in flattened arch Vformation relatively to the maj or axis of the body in cross section and having its sides extending around said abutments and anchored to said inner trussingportion, said inner and outer trussing portions having disposed between them means to provide for the flexing movements of said outer tension trussingcportion, lan annular resilient trussing portion bonded with andabout said tension trussing portion, atension belt .bonded with and about said'V resilient trussing portion, atread, an inner supportbetween said side abutments about the inner peripheral parts of thebody and forming therewith a demountablevunit of structure, and meansy to vary the tension, resiliency and Vcapacities of the body. i

8. A demountable Vannular equipment, comprising an endless annular body having an inner .annular 'and transverse truss formed of an annular inextensible member with channeled outer face between the sides thereof, an outer annular and transverse tension trussing portion disposed in flattened arch formation relatively to the major axis of the body in cross section and having its sides deflected around yand inwardly 0f said inner truss, a resilient annular and transverse trussing portion bonded to said tension trussing portion, a tread, and means to compress the terminals of said outer trussing portion against said inner truss, to form a unit of structure, `co-fittable in wheel equipment.

9. A demountable annular equipment, comprising an endless annular body having an inner annular and transverse truss formed of an annular inextensible member, an outer annular and transverse flexible tension trussing portion dis 'osed in flattened arch formation relative y to the major axis ofthe body in cross section and having its .sidesV deflected around and inwardly of said inner truss, an annular tension and transverse resilient trussing portion bonded to said tension trussing portion, an annular flexible tension belt bonded with and about; said resilient trussing portion, a tread, an inner support engaging the inner peripheral parts of the body between said side abutments and maintaining the body in tension thereabout and forming therewith a demountable annular unit of structure. Y

10. A demountable `annular equipment, comprising an endless annular body having an inner and transverse annular truss formed of an annular inextensible member, an outer annular and transverse flexible tension trussing portion disposed in spanning relationship across the direct lines of' thrust and in spaced relationship to the major axis of the body in cross section and having its sides deflected in curvatures around the sides and inwardly of said inner truss, an annular resilient trussing portion bonded to said tension trussing portion, a flexible tension belt encircling said resilient trussing portion, and a tread. Y

V11. A demountable annular equipment, comprising an endless annular body having an innerV annular and transverse truss formed of an annular inextensible member, an outer annular and transverse tension trussing portion disposed in flattened arch formation relatively to the major axis of the body in cross section and having its sides deflected around and inwardly of said inner truss, an annular tension belt bonded to said outer tension trussing portion, an annular and transverse resilient support and trussing an inner annular and transverse truss formed of an annular inextensible member, an annular and transverse tension trussing portion disposed in flattened arch formation relatively to the major axis of the body in cross section and having its sides deflected around and inwardly of said inner truss and transverse resilient support, a resilient trussing support between said inner truss and said tension truss an outer resilient, annular and transverse trussing support, bonded with and about said tension truss, an annular tension belt bonded to said outer trussing portion, a tread, an expansible annular and transverse inner seating support expanded against said body, and locking devices coperating with said member and said inner tension truss to clamp and maintain the terminals of the tension trussing-portion in tension in assembled unit of structure.

13. A demountable annular equipment, comprising an endless annular body havingv an inner annular and transverse truss formed of an annular inextensible member, an annular andl transverse tension trussing portion disposed in flattened arch formation relatively tothe major axis of the body in cross section and having its sides deflected around and inwardly of said inner truss, a resilient trussing support between said inner truss and said tension truss bonded with and about said tension truss, a tension belt bonded with and about said resilient trussing support, an annular tension belt bonded to vsaid outer trussing portion, a tread, an(

inner support about the inner peripheral parts of said body, locking devices coperating with said inner support and said inner tension truss to clamp and maintain the terminals of the tension trussing portion in tension in assembled unit of structure, and means for changing and maintaining standards of internal pressure and tension of the body.

. JOSEPH S. 'WILLIAMS Witnesses:

C. D. MCVAY, F. A. NEWTON. 

